When is The Best Time of Year To Move? What Every Season Offers
If you’re looking to pin down the perfect moving date, the right time depends on a few factors. Whether you’re thinking about low prices, calm weather, or your family’s own hectic schedule, the ideal timeline looks different for every relocation.
This guide lays out what to expect each season, which months movers tend to charge the least, and how the ideal date shifts based on where you live. Discover when the best time to move is and how to make the transition as smooth as possible.
The Best Time of Year To Move
Each season features pros and cons to weigh for moving day. While summer offers daylight and warm weather, it often comes with the industry’s highest demand. Winter, on the other hand, usually has the lowest pricing, but inclement weather might throw a wrench in your plans. Here’s a quick rundown.
Spring (March–May)
If you’re looking for decent prices and don’t mind the possibility of rainy days, pick spring. For the months of March through May, moving companies tend to have open dates, and rates haven’t started climbing to their summer highs yet. The weather is a bit of a wild card—it might be clear one moment, then raining the next. But longer daylight hours make it easier to finish loading before evening.
Summer (June–August)
Summer is when everyone tends to relocate, which is why costs tend to rise. This is a pricey time of year, with the steepest bills happening at the end of the month and the first of the month, when leases usually expire.
Because demand peaks during the summer months, schedules fill up fast and movers need to book companies weeks in advance. Luckily, this season has some serious perks: longer daylight hours, generally predictable weather, and a move that fits between school years.
Fall (September–November)
Fall is the quiet season, and it’s when booking starts to slow. From mid-September to mid-October, movers tend to offer competitive rates due to low demand. The weather is typically calm, but depending on your area, it might be hurricane season. While fall has dwindling daylight, it offers affordability and calm schedules.
Winter (December–February)
Movers tend to cut rates and offer flexible booking in the cold winter months. But those benefits come with some trade-offs: snow and ice, fewer daylight hours, and fewer homes on the market. It could also affect the route to your new home. If you’re moving long distances, you’ll need to account for weather delays and accessibility issues.
The Best Month to Move
If you’re aiming to keep moving costs down, the cheapest time to move is generally during winter. January and February tend to be the best deal. If you can’t manage a mid-winter move, October through April is a wide window to shoot for and offers similar advantages. Beat the summer rush, and you’ll usually have more scheduling flexibility and a better chance of booking your preferred moving date.
The Best Time To Move by Region
Preparing for moving day weather lets you account for slick ice and soggy rain, and your considerations change depending on geographical location. The best time to move in Phoenix looks very different from the best time to move in Boston. Here are a few tips for the major U.S. regions.
Northeast
- Ideal season: Shoot for late spring, plus September or October, for mild weather and better rates.
- Times to avoid: Keep away from December through March, when it’s cold, dark, and often snowy.
- Pro tip: Consider a backup date as a single overnight storm can add hours to your move.
Southeast
- Ideal season: Opt for Spring and late fall. For Florida residents, most months work.
- Times to avoid: Be mindful of August and September as they’re in the peak of hurricane season.
- Pro tip: Remember that snowbirds tend to flood south from November to March, which makes it challenging and costly to lock in a date.
Midwest
- Ideal season: Choose late spring through early fall for the most dependable weather in the Midwest.
- Times to avoid: Watch out for December through March due to snow and ice. Spring also brings a higher risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.
- Pro tip: Consider that lake-effect snow from Chicago and Cleveland moves fast and with little warning, which could throw off moving dates.
Southwest
- Ideal season: Choose October through April for fairly cool weather for a desert move.
- Times to avoid: Consider that June through August often means triple-digit heat, which can make hauling a headache.
- Pro tip: If you can’t avoid a summer move, try to book before 9 A.M. to finish the heavy lifting before midday.
West Coast
- Ideal season: Pick either Spring or fall—it’s dry, mild, and outside of peak moving season.
- Times to avoid: Steer away from late summer and early fall in wildfire-prone areas, when smoke and extreme heat can disrupt moving plans.
- Pro tip: Check the local air quality before moving in peak fire season, and consider the rain up north in Seattle and Portland.
Complete the Perfect Move With College HUNKS
The best time to move comes down to your own goals. If you want convenience, nothing beats long summer hours and warm weather to make loading a breeze. If you’d rather save some money, moving during the winter often means lower rates.
No matter when you move, choosing the right company to help with your haul matters just as much as the date. College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving provides year-round help, from hourly labor to full-service moving. Our licensed, insured teams treat your belongings with care and shoulder the heavy burden through hot summers and chilly winters.
Request a free, no-obligation estimate, and secure a moving date that fits your schedule.
FAQ
What’s the Best Day of the Week To Move?
Ideally, it’s best to move on a weekday. Crews often have more availability during the middle of the week, like Tuesday and Wednesday, which can lower costs. While demand tends to rise for weekend moves, many people want the convenience of a Saturday or Sunday haul—it provides a little extra time to unpack and settle before a fresh week starts.
How Far in Advance Should I Book Movers?
How far in advance you book depends on the season. In the summertime, aim for eight to 12 weeks ahead of time. During slower seasons, like autumn and winter, booking two to four weeks out is often enough.
When is the Cheapest Time To Move?
The cheapest time to move is usually January or February, when demand hits yearly lows. Rates usually drop, and movers have more flexible scheduling. Booking a midweek move during this off-season often leads to the lowest rates.